Sprayer having variable spray pattern

Abstract

A sprayer has a nozzle assembly which includes first and second fluid flow paths, the latter partially negating the spin velocity produced from the first path to effect a spray having a narrower spray cone. The second fluid flow path is established by a through opening located in a spinner probe, which opening is blocked and unblocked upon relative rotation of a surrounding nozzle cap.

What is claim is: 
     
       1. A pump sprayer comprising a pump body having a fluid discharge passage and a spinner probe, a nozzle cap on said probe, said cap having a discharge orifice and means including a spin chamber in communication with said orifice for imparting a spin at a given velocity to fluid to be discharged through said orifice in a spray pattern having a predetermined spray cone, means defining a first fluid path external to said probe and extending from said fluid passage to said orifice via said spin imparting means, the improvement wherein: said probe has a through opening defining a second fluid path from said discharge passage to said spin chamber, said through opening extending at an angle relative to a central axis of said probe, between a distal end and an outer surface of said probe, said second fluid path being wholly independent of said first fluid path such that fluid flowing through said second fluid path negates the given velocity to produce a spray cone of reduced conicity compared to that of the predetermined spray cone.   
     
     
       2. The sprayer according to claim 1, wherein said cap has a skirt surrounding said probe, an inner surface of said skirt having longitudinally extending grooves defining said first fluid path. 
     
     
       3. The sprayer according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle cap is rotatable about said probe without axial displacement, said cap having a skirt surrounding said probe, an upstream end of said through opening having a terminal end at said outer surface of said probe within said skirt, a first section of an inner surface of said skirt blocking said terminal end in a first relative rotative position of said cap, and a second section of said inner surface being spaced from said terminal end for unblocking said through opening in a second relative position of said cap. 
     
     
       4. The sprayer according to claim 3, wherein the pump body comprises a hollow reciprocable piston stem defining the fluid discharge passage, and a plunger head mounted on said stem having said probe extending transversely from said stem, said cap extending outwardly of a front face of said plunger head to facilitate manual cap rotation. 
     
     
       5. The sprayer according to claim 3, wherein the pump body has an outwardly extending cylindrical nozzle surrounding said probe for supporting said nozzle cap, a trigger actuator mounted on said pump body, and said cap having an outer wall to facilitate manual cap rotation. 
     
     
       6. The sprayer according to claim 1, wherein said inner surface of said skirt is eccentric relative to the central axis of said probe, said first section in said first position being tangent to said probe. 
     
     
       7. The sprayer according to claim 1, wherein the pump body comprises a hollow reciprocable piston stem defining the fluid discharge passage, and a plunger head mounted on said stem having said probe extending transversely from said stem. 
     
     
       8. The sprayer according to claim 1, wherein the pump body has an outwardly extending, cylindrical nozzle surrounding said probe for supporting said nozzle cap, and a trigger actuator mounted on said pump body. 
     
     
       9. A nozzle assembly for a manually actuated pump sprayer comprising; a sprayer body having a fluid discharge passage;   a sprayer probe on said body;   a nozzle cap mounted on said body only for rotation;   said cap having a discharge orifice and means including a spin chamber in communication with said orifice for imparting a spin at a given velocity to fluid to be discharged through said orifice as a fine mist spray having a predetermined divergent spray cone;   said cap having a skirt surrounding said probe, said skirt having means defining a first fluid path extending from said fluid passage to said orifice via said spin imparting means, and said skirt having a contoured inner wall which is eccentric relative to a central axis of said probe for covering and uncovering a terminal end of said through opening depending on the relative rotative position of said cap;   said probe having a through opening defining a second fluid path extending from said discharge passage to said spin chamber for negating the given velocity to produce a divergent spray of reduced conicity compared to that of the predetermined spray cone.   
     
     
       10. The sprayer according to claim 9, wherein said probe opening lies at an angle relative to the central axis of said probe. 
     
     
       11. The sprayer according to claim 9, wherein said means defining said first fluid path comprises at least one longitudinal groove in an inner wall of said skirt. 
     
     
       12. The sprayer according to claim 9, wherein the sprayer body comprises a hollow reciprocable piston defining the fluid discharge passage, and a plunger head mounted on said stem having said probe extending transversely from said stem, said cap extending outwardly of a front face of said plunger head to facilitate manual cap rotation. 
     
     
       13. The sprayer according to claim 9, wherein said pump body has an outwardly extending cylindrical nozzle surrounding said probe and supporting said nozzle cap, a trigger actuator mounted on said pump body, and said cap having an outer wall to facilitate manual cap rotation.